Deputy PM Dung thanked Ireland for considering Vietnam as a prioritised partner in its development cooperation policy, saying that Ireland-funded projects have been implemented effectively, contributing greatly to the country’s socio-economic development and international integration.

He congratulated the Irish Government and people on their achievements as well as their success in bringing Ireland to 7th position in the world’s top competitive and creative countries in 2016.

For his part, President Higgins congratulated Vietnam on its successes in socio-economic development and international integration and applauded the strong growth of friendship and multifaceted cooperation between the two countries, especially in politics-diplomacy, trade-investment, development cooperation, agriculture-food, education-training and culture.

While expressing his delight at the prompt implementation of agreements signed during his visit to Vietnam last year, President Higgins said Ireland desires to foster cooperative relations with Vietnam, which has an increasingly important role and position in the Asia-Pacific region.

Both host and guest showed their hopes for stronger bilateral cooperation in the future, especially in the fields where Vietnam and Ireland hold potential such as energy, agriculture-food, education-training and science-technology.

They agreed to boost cultural and art exchanges and work together closely in deploying cooperation priorities in their joint national strategy for the 2017-2020 period, focusing on supporting Vietnam in socio-economic development, poverty reduction, response to climate change, implementation of the UN sustainable development goals, settlement of war aftermaths and joining UN peacekeeping operations.

The two leaders also discussed regional and international issues of mutual concern. They consented to the need to maintain peace, stability, cooperation, development, and maritime security and safety, and settle disputes through negotiations on the basis of respect for international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS).